Category: INDIA

Gudi Padwa is a major festival in Maharashtra which marks the beginning of the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The festival falls on the first day of the Chaitra month and is recognised as the Marathi New Year. The festival is observed with great happiness and excitement, representing fresh starts, abundance, and the triumph of good over evil. The festival is celebrated with colours and by making rangoli. Apart from Maharashtra, it is also celebrated in Goa, Daman, and Diu.

About Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is one of the most auspicious festivals which marks the beginning of the new year, especially in Maharashtra, and that is why it is also known as Marathi New Year. The festival is also observed in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as Yugadi or Ugadi. Gudi Padwa is also known as Samvatsara Padvo, which means the first day of the new Samvat. You might be thinking, what is Samvatsara? It is a term for a “year” in the Hindu calendar which represents a 60-year cycle based on the orbit of Jupiter.

Gudi Padwa marks the harvest season

Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the harvest season. Falling in the month of Chaitra, it signifies the end of the Rabi crop harvest and the start of new agricultural cycles. Farmers offer gratitude for a large amount of yield and pray for prosperity in the upcoming season.

Gudi Padwa 2026: Date and significance

According to Drik Panchang, the festival will be observed on Thursday, March 19

Pratipada Tithi Begins – 06:52 AM on March 19, 2026
Pratipada Tithi Ends – 04:52 AM on March 20, 2026

Celebration

On this day, people wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean and new traditional clothes. Women clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and lights. They also prepare delicious meals and make rangoli with colours and flowers outside their houses. One of the most important features of Gudi Padwa is the raising of a ‘Gudi’ outside residences.

This comprises a vibrant silk fabric attached to a bamboo pole, decorated with neem leaves, flowers, and an upside-down silver or copper vessel. The Gudi is thought to repel evil, attract good luck, and represent the triumph of good over evil. It symbolises wealth and achievement.

Doha: More than 500 Indian nationals stranded in Qatar have travelled to New Delhi and other destinations on Qatar Airways flights on Wednesday, March 11.

In an update on X, the Embassy of India in Doha said said Qatar Airways facilitated the travel of the passengers as part of efforts to assist Indians affected by the prevailing regional situation.

The embassy added that two additional flights are scheduled to operate on March 12 — one each to New Delhi and Mumbai — to help more Indian nationals return home.

The embassy has also kept its three 24/7 helplines open for Indians seeking assistance.

It also stated that it is prioritising the rapid issuance of passports for Indian nationals. In view of the current situation, the embassy is accepting passport applications throughout the week. Tatkal passports are being issued within one to two days to meet urgent travel requirements.

The move comes amid the ongoing Israel–US–Iran conflict, which has severely disrupted flight operations across the Gulf region.

Dubai and Doha airports — among the world’s busiest transit hubs — have been heavily affected, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and prompting airlines to cancel nearly 40,000 flights. Reuters described it as the aviation sector’s biggest disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its advisory, the embassy urged Indian nationals to follow alerts and warning messages issued through official channels and adhere to safety guidelines.

Residents were also cautioned against approaching unidentified objects, debris or fragments and advised to report such items immediately by calling Qatar’s emergency number, 999.

Jammu: A man who attempted to shoot former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah at a wedding function in Jammu on Wednesday has told police he had been planning to kill the veteran leader for nearly two decades. Authorities, however, ruled out any terror angle and said the attacker appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

The accused has been identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Jammu. According to police, Jamwal used his licensed firearm during the attempt and was immediately overpowered by security personnel before he could cause harm.

CCTV footage from the wedding venue shows Jamwal approaching Abdullah from behind and pointing a pistol at him from point-blank range. He then fired a shot, which missed the target. Security personnel quickly intervened and restrained the gunman.

Jamwal Confesses On Personal Grudge For Past 2 Decades

During questioning, Jamwal reportedly told cops that he had harboured a personal grudge against the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader for the past 20 years. “I wanted to kill Farooq Abdullah for the past 20 years. It was my personal agenda. The weapon is my own, issued to me,” Jamwal told the police, adding that Abdullah was “lucky to survive.”

Officials said Abdullah had attended the wedding to greet a National Conference leader whose son was getting married. The former chief minister had reportedly been at the venue for more than an hour before the shooting attempt took place.

J&K Dy CM Escapes Death Narrowly

Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was also present at the venue during the incident and escaped unharmed. Police said the pistol used in the attack was seized from Jamwal’s possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused owns several shops in the old city area of Jammu and earns rental income from them.

Authorities also said Jamwal appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the attack. Following the incident, he was reportedly beaten by some people present at the wedding venue, including supporters of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, before being taken into custody. Police have launched further investigation into the incident, though officials have reiterated that no terror links have been found so far.

Ahmedabad: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has concluded its previously announced tender offers aimed at repurchasing portions of its outstanding international debt, as part of its capital management strategy.

Adani Ports confirmed the outcome of its cash tender offers targeting two series of senior notes. The company had offered to repurchase up to 345,137,000 dollars of its outstanding 4.00 percent Senior Notes due 2027 and up to 150,000,000 dollars of its 3.10 percent Senior Notes due 2031. The tender offers formally expired at 5:00 p.m. New York time on March 11, 2026, marking the completion of the acceptance period for noteholders wishing to participate.

The company reported additional participation after the early tender deadline. For the 4.00 percent notes, 500,000 dollars in aggregate principal amount was tendered between the early deadline and the final expiration date. For the 3.10 percent notes due 2031, noteholders tendered 2,130,000 dollars during the same period. These amounts came on top of earlier tenders submitted before the early deadline. Earlier in the process, holders had already tendered 101,584,000 dollars of the 4.00 percent notes and 95,360,000 dollars of the 3.10 percent notes under the early tender option.

Adani Ports expects the final settlement for accepted notes to take place on or around March 16, 2026, subject to the conditions set out in the tender offer memorandum. On that date, the company plans to pay the tender offer consideration to participating holders along with accrued and unpaid interest on the accepted notes up to, but excluding, the settlement date.

The tender offers form part of the company’s broader capital management approach aimed at managing liabilities and optimizing its debt profile. Adani Ports indicated that, depending on market conditions, it may undertake additional liability management exercises in the future to further reduce outstanding debt across various note series. The completion of the tender offers marks another step in Adani Ports’ ongoing efforts to actively manage its global debt obligations and maintain flexibility in its long-term financing strategy.

Disclaimer: This news article is generated solely from the information contained in the provided corporate filing/press release and does not rely on any external sources. It is intended for informational purposes only.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company managing director Anup Kumar Singh has directed officials to intensify efforts to recover outstanding electricity dues during the remaining days of March, warning that strict action, including disconnection of power supply, should be taken against defaulters.

Addressing officials of 15 districts through a video conference on Wednesday, Singh said March is crucial for achieving the company’s financial targets.

He instructed all 15 superintending engineers in the company’s jurisdiction, including those in Indore, to make coordinated efforts with their teams to ensure maximum revenue recovery within the remaining days of the financial year.

Singh emphasised that consumers who fail to pay their pending bills even after receiving notices should face action as per rules, including power disconnection.

He said districts such as Indore (city and rural), Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, Agar, Shajapur and Ratlam need to make special efforts to recover pending dues. Officials were asked to ensure recovery from consumers across all categories, including agricultural, industrial, non-domestic and domestic connections.

The managing director also instructed the heads of the Smart Meter Cell and Vigilance Cell to monitor the recovery drive and conduct field visits to review action being taken against defaulters.

The commercial wing has been directed to set daily revenue targets for each circle and division and review progress regularly, while ensuring eligible consumers benefit from the company’s settlement scheme.

With summer approaching, Singh also stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to drinking water sources so that water supply systems are not affected.

Senior officials, including chief general manager Prakash Singh Chauhan and chief engineers Sushma Gangrade, Rajesh Chandra Jain and BL Chauhan, along with other officers, were present during the meeting.

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed to tighten rules for foreign airlines operating to and from India, including mandatory digital registration, stronger legal accountability for local representatives, and putting in place a formal passenger grievance reporting system.

The DGCA on Wednesday issued a draft aeronautical information circular, which seeks to strengthen the civil aviation regulator’s oversight of foreign airlines.

The proposal includes a shift to a digital-first compliance system through the eGovernance of Civil Aviation (eGCA) portal, the DGCA’s online platform used for licensing, approvals, and regulatory filings.

Under the proposed framework, foreign airlines will have to obtain unique login credentials by uploading authenticated documents related to their incorporation and operational approvals.

Portal access will be activated only after the regulator verifies the credentials and competence of the airline’s designated “local representative” in India.

The draft circular proposes to make the local representative of the airline more accountable to the regulator. Under the proposed rules, the representative must either be an Indian national or a registered Indian entity and will be responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance on behalf of the airline.

The proposal requires the representative to report any aviation incident to the DGCA within four hours, maintain updated information on the eGCA portal at all times, and ensure that any change in representation is completed within prescribed deadlines. For the first time, the proposed framework would make the airline itself legally liable for any lapses committed by its local representative.

The airline shall be responsible for all acts or omissions done by the local representative in discharge of its responsibilities assigned by the airline and shall immediately replace the local representative if, at any point in time, the airline or DGCA observes frequent lapses, the draft observed.

The draft also introduces the concept of “deemed suspension” of an airline’s authorisation to operate to specific airports if those approvals remain unused for an extended period.

Under the proposal, if a foreign carrier does not operate flights to a particular Indian airport for four consecutive International Air Transport Association (IATA) seasons, the regulator can suspend the airport authorisation.

The IATA seasons refer to the global airline industry’s two scheduling periods each year — summer and winter — during which airlines plan flight schedules and slot usage worldwide.

In addition, the draft circular outlines a new passenger grievance redress mechanism for foreign carriers operating in India. The mechanism would require airlines to maintain a formal grievance register and submit periodic reports to the DGCA to ensure greater transparency and consumer protection in handling passenger complaints.

The DGCA has set an April 9 deadline for comments on the draft proposal from stakeholders, which will be taken into consideration before the new compliance framework is finalised.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Police have arrested an MBA student, Kanahiya Patil, for allegedly harassing and attempting to molest women in isolated areas under the Rau police station limits, officials said on Wednesday.

According to police, the accused allegedly targeted women who were alone, passed obscene comments and attempted to molest them before fleeing the spot.

A woman had lodged a complaint on November 1, stating that an unidentified man riding a scooter misbehaved with her and made indecent remarks on CAT Road, which is considered a relatively isolated stretch.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.

Police examined CCTV footage from the area and nearby locations and also used technical inputs and informers to trace the accused.

On Tuesday, police received information that the suspected scooter rider had been seen again near CAT Road. Acting swiftly, a police team cordoned off the area and apprehended the accused.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that he used to harass women when he found them alone, police said.

The scooter allegedly used in the incidents has been seized, and further legal action is being taken as the investigation continues.

United Nations, March 12: India has called for the protection of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, who are in the midst of a heightened confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in the fallout of the Iran war.

“We urge all parties, under all circumstances, to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises, in accordance with international law,” a joint statement by India and 29 other countries said on Wednesday (local time), referring to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

“Peacekeepers must never be the target of attacks or intimidation of any kind,” the statement said. “We commend the courage, professionalism and dedication of UNIFIL peacekeepers in the fulfilment of their mandate”.

India second-largest troop contributor to UNIFIL

The 642 Indian peacekeepers constitute the second-largest contingent in the 7,438-member UNIFIL.

Created in 1978, the peacekeeping operation is charged with monitoring the cessation of hostilities there and helping the Lebanese government regain control of the southern Lebanon areas.

Joint statement delivered at UN Security Council

With India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish at his side, France’s Permanent Representative Jerome Bonnafont read out the statement outside the Security Council before it met to discuss the situation in Lebanon.

Three Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured in their base last week “amid heavy firing” in an area of southern Lebanon where they were located, according to UNIFIL.

Condemning the attack, the statement said, “Those responsible for the attack must be held accountable.”

The UN has said the incident was under investigation and has not assigned blame.

Statement criticises Hezbollah, urges restraint from Israel

The statement condemned “in the strongest terms Hezbollah’s reckless decision to join the Iranian attacks against Israel”, which dragged “Lebanon in a war neither its authorities nor its population wanted”.

As for Israel, it said they urge the country “to abstain from attacks against civilian infrastructure and heavily populated areas and to respect the Lebanese sovereignty and its territorial integrity”.

“All parties must respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” it added.

UN warns of dangerous and precarious situation

Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Council that UNIFIL is implementing its mandates in a “dangerous and precarious environment”.

He said that since March 1, UNIFIL has recorded 4,120 “trajectories” coming from both sides of the Blue Line that effectively separates Israel and Lebanon.

Hezbollah has carried out daily strikes across the Blue Line, with rockets, missiles and drones at targets in Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan, he said.

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Meanwhile, “UNIFIL has observed incursions by Israel Defense Forces units into Lebanon at several locations”, and there have been direct clashes between the Israeli forces and Hezbollah, he said.

(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by GPlus’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

New Delhi [India], March 12: IndiGo on Wednesday said it will operate flights to nine destinations across West Asia on Thursday, along with select routes to Europe, as it gradually restores services in the Gulf region.

In a travel advisory, the airline said the flights will operate subject to prevailing safety conditions and necessary regulatory approvals, as the carrier continues to coordinate closely with relevant authorities.

“IndiGo continues to coordinate closely with the relevant authorities to progressively restore its flight operations across the Middle East, helping customers reconnect with their loved ones and proceed with their travel plans,” the airline posted on X.

Passengers advised to check flight status

The airline cautioned that flight schedules may change at short notice due to the evolving situation and advised passengers to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport.

“Customers are advised to check the latest flight status before proceeding to the airport,” the advisory said.

IndiGo also said its teams are contacting affected passengers to assist with alternate travel arrangements where required.

The airline added that passengers requiring further support can reach out to its customer contact centre for assistance as the situation develops.

India assists citizens amid regional tensions

Earlier, India stepped up assistance to its citizens in West Asia as escalating regional tensions continue to disrupt travel and safety conditions, with dozens of Indians repatriated from Lebanon and hundreds departing from Qatar on commercial flights.

According to the Indian Embassy in Beirut, the first batch of 177 Indian nationals was repatriated to New Delhi on a charter flight arranged by their employer on Wednesday. The group was seen off at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport by India’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Noor Rahman Sheikh.

In a post on X, the mission said, “The first batch of 177 Indian nationals, being repatriated to Delhi in a charter flight, arranged by their Company, was seen off by Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh at Beirut International Airport today. The Embassy of India in Beirut stands committed to extending best possible assistance to Indian nationals in Lebanon.”

Over 500 Indians depart Qatar

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said more than 500 Indians who had been stranded in Qatar travelled to India on Qatar Airways flights on March 11 (Wednesday). The passengers departed for destinations including New Delhi and Mumbai.

The embassy added that Qatar Airways is scheduled to operate two additional flights to India on March 12, one each to New Delhi and Mumbai, to facilitate further travel.

Embassy issues advisory to Indian community

The Indian Embassy in Qatar issued an advisory urging members of the Indian community to remain cautious and follow official instructions. The embassy said its three 24/7 helplines remain operational to assist Indian nationals with queries or emergencies.

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Officials further said the mission has been prioritising urgent passport services due to the current situation, keeping its consular section open throughout the week and issuing Tatkal passports within one to two days.

The advisory also urged residents to handle official alerts seriously and avoid approaching unidentified objects, debris or fragments, asking them to immediately report such items by contacting emergency services.

(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by GPlus’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Higher Education department is taking steps to strengthen Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) in the state.

While no specialised AVGC lab currently exists, the department is planning to set up Content Creating Labs (CCLs) in a few divisions by the next academic session.

Sources in the Higher Education Department said AVGC is a wide platform that could help develop youths’ creative skills. With proper training in making reels, short films, games or comics, students could earn extra income and potentially reach greater heights, as AVGC is a new field with vast possibilities.

The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed establishing AVGC CCLs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges across India. The initiative aims to embed creative and digital skills within the formal education system and strengthen India’s Orange Economy.

The labs are envisioned as standardised “plug and play” creative spaces within educational institutions, providing students access to professional-grade tools and cloud-based production environments for animation, VFX, gaming, comics, and immersive media.

A senior Higher Education officer said the state currently lacks AVGC courses and skilled trainers. The AVGC ecosystem will be introduced alongside main courses.

“So far, it is uncertain how many CCLs will come up in Madhya Pradesh,” the officer said. “The state has seven digital studios, but a CCL is different—it will shape skills in reel-making and content creation.”

The Union Budget also announced support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs. The Information & Broadcasting Ministry will conduct surveys for establishing the labs.

Official response

Prabal Sipaha, Commissioner, Higher Education Department, told Free Press: “The department is exploring the possibility of establishing some labs at division level. By next session, they may start functioning.”